The Muenchener Tageszeitung (TZ) is reporting the Bobby Wood has been brought into the pro team of TSV 1860 to train. He was promoted from U17 team this summer, over the U19 team, straight on to the U23 team. He has not seen a game yet this season for the U23s, but 1860 has brought up several young 17 year-old prospects to play with the pros recently, one of whom started and impressed very well this past weekend in their 2-3 loss to Bochum. More on the 1860 thread here along with a link to the article.

LoewenBoy, how typical is it in Germany for teams to bring players up straight from the U19 team?

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Well, it is not all that unusual but it is not too common. That is, maybe only a handful of guys get such an opportunity. What is MOST unusual is that several of 1860's U17 players like Wood, Leitner, Ziereis and Volland would normally be playing U17 then U18 then U19 and then get brought up to the U23s. All of these guys went straight from U17/U18 to U23. Leitner is about to get a pro contract. Wood, Ziereis and Volland are all on the U23 roster but playing both U19 and U23. All have also been brought up to practice with the pro team (also not uncommon).

Given 1860 is looking to hatch and sign many of their young talent, I would not be surprised if these kids get pro contracts by year's end.

My guess is that will change shortly and he will get U23 playing time.

Well, it is not all that unusual but it is not too common. That is, maybe only a handful of guys get such an opportunity. What is MOST unusual is that several of 1860's U17 players like Wood, Leitner, Ziereis and Volland would normally be playing U17 then U18 then U19 and then get brought up to the U23s. All of these guys went straight from U17/U18 to U23. Leitner is about to get a pro contract. Wood, Ziereis and Volland are all on the U23 roster but playing both U19 and U23. All have also been brought up to practice with the pro team (also not uncommon).

Given 1860 is looking to hatch and sign many of their young talent, I would not be surprised if these kids get pro contracts by year's end.

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They're focusing so much on youth due to financial difficulties..........correct?

The Muenchener Tageszeitung (TZ) is reporting the Bobby Wood has been brought into the pro team of TSV 1860 to train. He was promoted from U17 team this summer, over the U19 team, straight on to the U23 team. He has not seen a game yet this season for the U23s, but 1860 has brought up several young 17 year-old prospects to play with the pros recently, one of whom started and impressed very well this past weekend in their 2-3 loss to Bochum. More on the 1860 thread here along with a link to the article.

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Sounds like a training opportunity (as you say above) and not really a first-team call-up (as the thread title suggests). Still, it's a great opportunity for the kid and I hope he impresses. He's certainly on Rongen's radar and I hope we get a chance to see him with the U-20s at some point so we can judge for ourselves.

They're focusing so much on youth due to financial difficulties..........correct?

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Yes, but it is not ususual for 1860 since they have one of the better academies in Germany. While they are not turning out "superstars" or big names, they continue to develop strong, solid Bundesliga caliber players who form the backbone of many of the top clubs in the Bundesliga. The promotion of these guys up the ladder is not undeserved and, in part, is also 1860's way of 1) filling the talent gap they have since they cannot buy "named" experienced players, and 2) to get these younger guys noticed so that they can be sold later to help pay down debt. Unfortunately that is the situation the club finds itself in.

Sounds like a training opportunity (as you say above) and not really a first-team call-up (as the thread title suggests).

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That is how call ups start. You train with the first team and then get your break through to play. Very rarely do you see guys break straight into a start or sub role withouth first training with the first team. Not unless your name if Ronaldo or Rooney.

Still, it's a great opportunity for the kid and I hope he impresses. He's certainly on Rongen's radar and I hope we get a chance to see him with the U-20s at some point so we can judge for ourselves.

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His strike rate is decent and he has developed well in the German training system. I have no doubt he will end up with a pro contract within 18 months from someone. He turns 18 and that is about the time the teams seek to secure players to avoid losing them on a Bosman. I am sure 1860 will offer him something if his performance continues.

It would be ironic if he crowds out Kenny Cooper who is still injured and not due back in training until late September at earliest.

I know Bobby is young, but Kenny is still only 25. Just saying, he's not ancient, but you're right, no development room really.

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This is really for another thread, but if Cooper ever decides that he's going to really dedicate himself to being the kind of target striker that a lot of coaches seem to want him to be, he might develop substantially over the course of a year or two. As far as I can tell, he has all of the abilities needed to play that role; he just doesn't seem to have the desire (or the know-how?). And those kind of strikers tend to get better later in their careers than guys who depend on speed or unusually high technical ability.

While Wood is on the U23 roster, he is not yet in the starting 11 and is playing with the U19 team to get match practice. He has only been put on the U23 roster once in five games so far.

Wood has played 204 minutes and scored 1 goal in the first three games for the U19s.

1860 has had MANY Americans in their ranks before the likes of Wolff, Cooper and Berhalter. Taylor Twellman played there in youth and U23s. He was told he would not play for the pro team by the anti-ami coach Werner Lorant. This is why he went to MLS when he did. Other than Taylor, 1860 has a long history of training American youth. Steven Purdy also played there about the time Wood joined.

"However he will find it difficult to play with the US team because 1860 will be reluctant to release him."?? I hate statements like this that are not based in fact. If 1860 placed an overly high emphasis on Wood he would not be playing with the U19s, but rather with the U23s starting or sitting on the bench with the profis. He DOES fit into their plans, but he is not so indispensible that he cannot be let go for international duty. Now, no club is going to release a player to attend what are essentially non-sense tournaments. They will release the players for international friendlies and major tournaments.

I think one of the things he got right was why Wood has developed so well. From what I hear he has a gigantic work ethic and just runs all day long giving 100% without an ego. That will only serve him well in the sport.

While Wood is on the U23 roster, he is not yet in the starting 11 and is playing with the U19 team to get match practice. He has only been put on the U23 roster once in five games so far.

Wood has played 204 minutes and scored 1 goal in the first three games for the U19s.

1860 has had MANY Americans in their ranks before the likes of Wolff, Cooper and Berhalter. Taylor Twellman played there in youth and U23s. He was told he would not play for the pro team by the anti-ami coach Werner Lorant. This is why he went to MLS when he did. Other than Taylor, 1860 has a long history of training American youth. Steven Purdy also played there about the time Wood joined.

"However he will find it difficult to play with the US team because 1860 will be reluctant to release him."?? I hate statements like this that are not based in fact. If 1860 placed an overly high emphasis on Wood he would not be playing with the U19s, but rather with the U23s starting or sitting on the bench with the profis. He DOES fit into their plans, but he is not so indispensible that he cannot be let go for international duty. Now, no club is going to release a player to attend what are essentially non-sense tournaments. They will release the players for international friendlies and major tournaments.

I think one of the things he got right was why Wood has developed so well. From what I hear he has a gigantic work ethic and just runs all day long giving 100% without an ego. That will only serve him well in the sport.

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From the article ..."Wood was recently asked by Rongen to take part in the upcoming Cuadrangular Internacional Tournament in Peru but his commitments to 1860 Munich prevailed." so do you think he preferred to stay in Germany or CIT not important enough to release him? just asking

From the article ..."Wood was recently asked by Rongen to take part in the upcoming Cuadrangular Internacional Tournament in Peru but his commitments to 1860 Munich prevailed." so do you think he preferred to stay in Germany or CIT not important enough to release him? just asking

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Would Leverkusen have sent a 17 year-old Donovan to play in a meaningless tournament rather than play for the club? As I said, most clubs will release players for international call-ups that mean something. If this was a CONCACAF qualifier it would not be a question regardless of the age group. But this is a tournament designed to allow scouts to see youth prospects and nothing more. No club is going to risk an investment on something of no value to the club or player. Wood will get as much exposure to Rongen whether he is playing U19 or U23 ball for 1860 or if he went to that tournament. From 1860s perspective, they would be risking the health of a player that adds not value to his development. In fact, it risks more for him than it benefits.

With all the controversy surrouding Arjen Robben and how the Dutch played him injured this summer, 1860 is not about to risk a player for something like this.

As for what Wood preferred? I have no idea. If he is smart, and by all accounts he is, he will stay in Germany and continue to raise eyebrows there. His professional contract is just months away IMHO.

I'd don't see much reason for Bobby to go to Peru. That squad is still an experimental one and it's not like he needs (or, really, would get) any exposure. Qualifying and the U-20WYC are they only two times that matter. My guess is that we'll have no trouble getting Bobby for those two if Tom wants him. Until then, he's better off training with his club.

From the article ..."Wood was recently asked by Rongen to take part in the upcoming Cuadrangular Internacional Tournament in Peru but his commitments to 1860 Munich prevailed." so do you think he preferred to stay in Germany or CIT not important enough to release him? just asking

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The Cuadrangular Internacional Tournament is the definition of a meaningless youth competition.

Bowen
McInerney
Agudelo
Ruelas
Salgado
Wood
Doyle
Mwanga (if he gets his citizenship on time, which could happen in May)

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Most of those guys play in North America. The two guys who do play in Germany, Brooks plays defense for the Hertha U19 team and Kiesewetter looks like a super-sub. I have not heard of them getting call-ups into the U23 team as of yet or even being much on their profi radar...perhaps that is why Wood stays and those two go. Who knows?

I'd don't see much reason for Bobby to go to Peru. That squad is still an experimental one and it's not like he needs (or, really, would get) any exposure. Qualifying and the U-20WYC are they only two times that matter. My guess is that we'll have no trouble getting Bobby for those two if Tom wants him. Until then, he's better off training with his club.

I don't know who here goes over to the Youth National Team forum but if you do, you'd see that it is an extremely intense competition among forwards to make the US U20 national team.

right now you have

Bowen
McInerney
Agudelo
Ruelas
Salgado
Wood
Doyle
Mwanga (if he gets his citizenship on time, which could happen in May)

It's certainly possible for more names to emerge too.

If Rongen takes at most 5 forwards, it'll be a tough roster to make. These tournaments, like the one in Peru, are important in establishing yourself on the team.

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Some can be wings. Article says he plays mostly on the wings, as does Bowen. Right now Doyle isn't up with the others. Can anyone play RB or LB. Wood with LM skills and speed can he play back. I sure hope so. In my mind Aguedelo and Mwanga up front. Alot of skill in the Forwards and Middle. I think we need some defensive help.

Some can be wings. Article says he plays mostly on the wings, as does Bowen. Right now Doyle isn't up with the others. Can anyone play RB or LB. Wood with LM skills and speed can he play back. I sure hope so. In my mind Aguedelo and Mwanga up front. Alot of skill in the Forwards and Middle. I think we need some defensive help.

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The U20 team is pretty good as far as wings go. V. Garza, Molano, Ibrahim, Navas Cobo, and Zahavi are all natural wingers

As far as the fullback position: Sarkodie, E. Orozco, Veeder, and White are all on the right. G. Garza, De La Fuente, and Polak are the guys out left.

I'd don't see much reason for Bobby to go to Peru. That squad is still an experimental one and it's not like he needs (or, really, would get) any exposure. Qualifying and the U-20WYC are they only two times that matter. My guess is that we'll have no trouble getting Bobby for those two if Tom wants him. Until then, he's better off training with his club.

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One reason to go is to further impress Rongen. There will be stiff competetion to make the U-20 team, if that is a goal for Wood. I think some players take every opportunity to play for a National side, while most are clearly focused on their club.